The Italians created several first-half openings but strikers Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano were unable to convert.

Andrea Pirlo (pictured) curled in a superb free-kick to give them a deserved lead six minutes before half-time. Croatia equalised, however, in the 73rd minute when Mario Mandzukic fired his third goal of the tournament in off the post.

‘We should have wrapped it up earlier for sure but we are still in it, we are alive and we will fight to the end,’ Prandelli said.

‘We had some good chances in the first half and could have done better.’

Prandelli was unhappy with the way his defence allowed Croatia to equalise.

‘We conceded a goal we shouldn’t have with a cross that was quite predictable but the lads stuck at it and fought to the end,’ he added.